A vampire prince's wedding is a grand event—hundreds of times more important than our own mate‑selection ceremony.

My sister, I, and several of our fellow witches were all brought to the vampire clan's Shadow Castle. We were forbidden to take even a single step outside and were ordered to focus entirely on preparing every detail of my sister's upcoming marriage.

Running my fingers along the blood‑crystal necklace Alexus had sent especially for Ella, I felt nothing.

It was beautiful, yes—but in my eyes, it was nothing more than a death charm.

In my previous life, the gifts I received were a hundred times more luxurious than what my sister now enjoyed. Women across the continent imitated my every word and gesture. But only I knew the price I paid—how much suffering I endured—for the child growing inside me.

Before I could examine the necklace further, one of my sister's maids hurried toward me.

"Miss Lila, the future princess consort requests your presence."

Me? At a time like this, shouldn't my sister be busy with her wedding attire? Why would she suddenly remember a sister who supposedly meant nothing?

Though doubt lingered in my heart, she was now the prince's publicly acknowledged fiancée. I had no authority to refuse.

The moment I reached her chamber, I saw Alexus stride out with his robe open, a satisfied smile on his face. I lowered my head at once. He did not spare me a single glance.

His scent was unmistakable—blood and roses, that lingering fragrance a vampire exudes after intimacy. I knew immediately that my sister had already slept with him.

It couldn't be helped. Once a witch comes of age, she loses control when facing a man she desires. Her body naturally draws her closer. It was one of our fatal flaws.

My sister reclined gracefully on the bed, a sheer silk cover draped lightly over her. It did nothing to hide her alluring figure.

When she saw me enter, the smile faded from her face. Slowly, she lifted a finger and pointed toward an embroidered pattern on the table.

"You stitched this? Good."

I didn't dare move. She had spent our entire childhood beating and scolding me—when had she ever spoken a kind word? And remembering how she pushed me into the abyss in our past life, my heart pounded uncontrollably.

Seeing that I remained still, she suddenly sat up. She grabbed a candlestick from beside her and slammed it against my head.

Blood blurred my vision. I bit down on my fury and fell to my knees.

My reaction seemed to please her. She drawled lazily, "I called you here so you can witness how I earned everything I now possess. You'd better keep those restless thoughts to yourself and stop hovering around Prince Alexus. Otherwise…"

I lifted my gaze and met hers. "As you wish, Your Highness."

She froze for a moment, startled by the calm in my eyes. Then she strode over, seized a fistful of my hair, and hissed, "Lila, did you really think I don't know? You're reborn too, aren't you?"

At the word reborn, a shadow flickered through my eyes.

She snorted and hurled the embroidered pattern at my face. "You grew up in the witches' forest. How could you possibly know the Blood Rose sigil—a symbol only royal vampire queens may use? And you still dare lie to me!"

I sighed softly, pressing a hand to my forehead as I pushed myself to my feet.

"Ella, I have never wanted to fight you. I will never appear before the prince."

She scoffed without the slightest concern, her fingers brushing mockingly across my cheek.

"You think I'd lose to you? A plain little nobody? Even if you wanted to compete, you wouldn't stand a chance."

I fell silent.

Some things remained unchallenged not because I lacked ambition—but because I intended to live longer.

Only a fool clings to the glittering poison that leads to her own ruin.

The vampire prince's engagement ceremony lived up to the clan's legendary reputation. Even an engagement alone was executed with breathtaking grandeur. Not only did countless mysterious supernatural beings attend, but they also brought lavish gifts—a clear demonstration of respect.

Ella appeared in a vibrant red gown, her face flushed with excitement as she held Alexus's hand and walked into the expectant crowd. At last, she had achieved the position she had long dreamed of; her happiness was impossible to hide.

When her eyes fell on me, she tilted her head with a mocking smile and silently mouthed: Trash.

Yes, I was trash. But she was about to step into hell itself, so I wasn't sure which of us was more pitiable.

Her smile, however, was short-lived. Alexus pressed a cup of wine into her hand.

"Drink. In the presence of the elders, our engagement is now official."

My sister eagerly accepted it. Just as she raised the cup, a sharp metallic scent wafted from the wine. She froze in horror and instinctively flung the cup away. "Silver powder! There's holy silver in this wine!"

Holy silver was a witch's natural nemesis. Even a grand sorcerer with a millennium of experience could not withstand a sip of holy silver wine. It wouldn't kill, but it would temporarily nullify one's magic and confine the victim to months of agonizing illness—a living death.

In my previous life, I had faced the same situation, yet I never once thought of refusing. I knew my life was insignificant compared to the dignity of the entire vampire clan. To embarrass Alexus in front of so many would forever reduce our relationship to one of mere utility.

In the past, I had steeled myself and drunk it. The rest of the ceremony passed in a haze; my head felt heavy, my body sluggish. But Alexus did not care in the slightest. In his eyes, I was only a tool—a means to repay a debt and bear heirs. Who ever cared about a tool's feelings?

Ella, oblivious to the gravity of the situation, pouted and clung coquettishly to Alexus. "I won't drink this!"

She didn't notice the shadow that darkened his face. Surrounded by so many witnesses, he held back, his tone patient but firm. "Ella, this is an ancient vampire tradition. Don't be childish in front of everyone."

Ordinarily, anyone would yield when the high and mighty vampire prince spoke. But she seemed blind to the approaching danger, stubbornly refusing. "I don't care about this stupid tradition! Witches despise holy silver. I never want to see it again!"

Her words enraged the vampire elders present. To them, consuming an object that countered one's partner was a symbol of loyalty and submission. By refusing, my sister had publicly insulted them.

Some nobles quietly grumbled, questioning whether the bride understood her place—and even casting doubt on Alexus's judgment.

Alexus's patience snapped. "I'll say it once more. Drink it."

Ella froze, utterly shocked at his harshness. Trembling, she raised the cup of holy silver wine and downed it in one gulp.

But it was too late. The mood had already shifted, the ceremony's decorum disrupted. After completing the ritual, Alexus strode away, not sparing her even a glance.

Ella stood there, stunned. Just yesterday, they had shared tender, intimate moments—how could a single sip of wine ruin everything?

I let out a quiet, bitter laugh. She was far too naive.

Nothing mattered to the vampires more than their reputation. A bride was merely a decoration, a tool to enhance the clan's image. She actually believed she could influence the prince's will?

Her "good life" had barely begun—and the real trials were still waiting.